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Martin Freeman was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, the youngest of five children. His father, Geoffrey, a naval officer, and his mother, Philomena, separated when Freeman was a child, and when Freeman was ten, Geoffrey died of a heart attack. Freeman was raised in a Roman Catholic family, and though his family was not strict in their religious practices, his religion had a profound influence on him. As a child, Freeman was asthmatic, and had to undergo a hip operation due to a "dodgy" leg. He was schooled at a Catholic comprehensive before attending London's Central School of Speech and Drama.

Some movies he's most famous for are The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (as Arthur Dent), and Love Actually. Freeman has appeared in over 18 TV shows, 14 theatre productions, and several radio shows. His most famous role is that of Tim Canterbury in The Office (UK), and more recently John Watson in Sherlock, the modernised TV series on BBC1 (starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes). Freeman is also the lead role on 'The Nativity' as Paul Maddens.